5. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol

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In the middle of the 2007-08 season, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. Instantly, Gasol and Kobe Bryant became one of the most formidable one-two punches in the league.

After only four months of playing with one another, the duo led the Lakers to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2004. Although the team came up short against the Boston Celtics, Lakers fans were very hopeful the surprising appearance in the finals was a sign of things to come.

The fans’ hopes were answered, as the Lakers won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.

Given their talent and experience playing with one another, Gasol and Bryant should continue to be a formidable duo going forward.

3. Jerry West and Elgin Baylor

Jerry West and Elgin Baylor were the original dynamic duo for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the duo is viewed by many to be more tragic than celebrated.

Baylor and West failed to win one championship together despite making seven appearances in the NBA Finals.

Unfortunately for Baylor, he was forced to retire just as the 1971-72 season started, right before the team went on a record-setting 33-game win streak en route to winning the franchise’s first championship since moving to Los Angeles.

2. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal

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Despite a childish, tumultuous feud, it’s impossible to not consider Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal one of the greatest duos in league history.

In Shaq, the Los Angeles Lakers had an all-time top-five center in the prime of his career. Meanwhile, Kobe was at his most athletic, establishing himself as one of the game’s most talented young stars.

Shaq and Kobe would lead the Lakers to three consecutive championships (2000-2002).

Considering that when the duo was on the same page they were such a force to be reckoned with, many wonder what kind of damage Kobe and Shaq could have done if they had actually liked one another.